At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead visual strategy and create stunning displays to enhance customer experience.
- Company: Join Cass Art, a vibrant brand dedicated to inspiring creativity in the art community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexibility, plus opportunities for creative expression.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes the in-store experience and drives brand identity.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in retail visual merchandising with strong design and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Regular store visits and collaboration with various teams to ensure brand alignment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Reporting to the Head of Retail, we are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Visual Merchandising Manager to lead the visual strategy and execution across our retail stores. This role is pivotal in bringing our brand to life in-store by driving impactful visual displays, maintaining planogram designs and standards, and ensuring an exceptional customer experience. Based in our London Head office with regular visits to our stores as required. This is a hybrid role with 3 days working from the office or stores and 2 days working from home.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, and drive the Visual Merchandising plans across all stores to enhance customer experience and commercial performance.
- Plan and execute visual displays in line with the trade plan, product launches, promotions, new stores and marketing campaigns.
- Work closely with the Head of Retail to deliver planograms, display guidelines, and store presentation strategies.
- Enhance product visibility through strategic placement and impactful presentation.
- Continuously review and adapt the layout of underperforming categories and key ranges to improve engagement and sales.
- Create display concepts using artistic skills or CAD software (AutoCAD, Mockshop, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
- Support the Head of Retail with all new store openings.
- Liaise with Buying, Merchandising, Marketing, and Design teams to ensure VM aligns with brand vision and commercial goals.
- Benchmark against competitors to ensure Cass Art maintains a market-leading visual identity.
- Develop and distribute VM tools and resources to stores, enabling consistent and effective execution.
- Conduct regular VM audits and store visits, providing actionable feedback and coaching.
- Maintain and evolve the visual identity of the Cass Art brand, ensuring an engaging, inspirational, and commercial environment.
Desired Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in Retail Visual Merchandising, preferably in a multi-store or regional field role (minimum 3 years).
- In-depth understanding of VM principles, current industry trends, and consumer behaviour.
- Experience in developing VM materials and tools from concept to implementation.
- Strong understanding of store layouts, planograms, and space optimisation principles.
- Comfortable with the manual element of the job as part of VM duties.
- Experience with visual/spatial planning tools like SketchUP, PTC Creo, CATIA etc. and/or equivalent VM-specific software (essential).
- Proven success delivering high standards of VM in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Ability to analyse sales data and translate insights into actionable visual strategies.
- Collaborative and inspiring, fostering teamwork across our store network and head office departments.
- Comfortable receiving and applying constructive feedback.
- Detail-oriented and proactive, ensuring high standards in visual execution.
- Ability to work in a fast paced and ever-changing environment.
- Proactive, resourceful, and practical.
- Results-driven, with a strong commercial mindset and focus on sales impact.
Contact Detail:
Cass Art Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visual Merchandising Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest visual merchandising trends and techniques. Follow industry leaders on social media and engage with their content to stay updated. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous visual merchandising projects. Include before-and-after photos, design concepts, and any metrics that highlight your impact on sales or customer engagement. This tangible evidence can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the retail and visual merchandising sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or workshops to connect with potential colleagues and mentors. Building these relationships can lead to valuable insights and job referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's brand identity and values thoroughly. Understand how our visual merchandising aligns with our overall mission. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to enhancing our brand presence.
We think you need these skills to ace Visual Merchandising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in retail visual merchandising, especially any roles where you've developed and implemented visual strategies. Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact on customer experience and sales.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for visual merchandising and how it aligns with the brand's vision. Mention your familiarity with tools like AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite, and provide examples of successful projects you've led.
Showcase Your Creativity: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of your previous visual merchandising work. This could be images of displays you've created or concepts you've developed, showcasing your artistic skills and understanding of consumer behaviour.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with various teams such as Buying, Merchandising, and Marketing. Provide examples of how you've successfully partnered with others to achieve visual merchandising goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cass Art
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Visual Merchandising Manager, creativity is key. Prepare to discuss your previous projects and how you brought a brand's vision to life through visual displays. Bring a portfolio if possible, showcasing your best work.
✨Understand the Brand
Research the company’s brand identity and values thoroughly. Be ready to explain how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can enhance their visual merchandising strategy to improve customer experience and sales.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Since the role requires knowledge of CAD software and visual planning tools, brush up on your skills with programs like AutoCAD or Adobe Creative Suite. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, such as how you would handle underperforming categories or implement a new store layout. Think of specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your strategic thinking and adaptability.